Short of breath? Anxiety…we have all been there. If you have not just yet, give it time. A bout with anxiety can happen at a number of events and have various triggers. Perhaps you are in school right now and get nervous near the time you are going to take a test. Perhaps you are driving in your car or are a passenger in a car and you experience feelings of danger and dread. Maybe it is sitting around a lot of people in a small space such an airplane and the thought that you have to sit there for several hours makes you very uncomfortable. I know that is the case for me.
What if it something more serious that may deserve more attention? In the DSM5, the criteria for Generalized Anxiety Disorder is feeling restless or on edge, becoming fatigued easily, your mind going blank and being irritable. A number of issues can also cause anxiety such as a medication or if there is a history of anxiety in your family.
Anxiety in some form whether it is being pushed for time that you do not have and you have a lot to do or being impatient because you are waiting for a something to finish up is part of life and many times cannot be avoided. How do you know when you need to seek some outside help such as seeing a counselor and/or doctor?
In the starting paragraph I mentioned the thought of sitting for several hours in a plane as an example of anxiety. This is exactly what happened to me earlier this year. In years past, I did not mind flying at all, loved it even. One reason for that is my diminutive stature at 5’4”. Last March I was on a flight to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with my father and I had a very hard time with it. I was sitting in a window seat in coach and next to two rather large men. I got to a point where it was hard to breath and take a full breath. I felt smothered almost. After that incident I thought for sure I may need to go on antianxiety medication.
Well, that was eight months ago. It turned out that was a one-time thing and I have not experienced that since then. However, I will say when I know if I am going to be around a lot of people, I will position myself where I know I will have an easy escape it necessary. This is what works for me though.
If you are looking for a therapist near you and a Google search is a great way of finding one. I happen to be a therapist in Charlotte, NC but am licensed to counsel anyone in the state of North Carolina. In Google, try looking for “psychotherapist,” “find therapist,” “therapy near me,” or even “counseling charlotte, nc.” If you feel like you have hit a wall you are not able to get past, call me at (704) 458-6298 or email me at jeffhelms@clearerthoughtspllc.com.
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